×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rules for adoption simplified

Last Updated 28 July 2015, 20:19 IST

The Centre has simplified the rules for adoption of children, with the process now being completely e-governed and through a centralised database, adoption outside which is strictly prohibited.

The new guidelines put non-resident Indians (NRIs) on a par with resident Indians in terms of priority. Also, all Specialised Adoption Agencies would be authorised to do in-country and inter-country adoptions.

The “Guidelines Governing Adoption of Children 2015”, issued by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), will replace the 2011 adoption guidelines.

The Central Adoption Resource Information Guidance System (CARINGS) has been revamped to contain a centralised databank of adoptable children and Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) for hassle-free adoption.

The guidelines also have clear and transparent procedures for registration of resident Indians and provision for uploading required documents online.

They have also laid down clear time-lines for domestic and inter-country adoption. All District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) will be connected online to CARINGS, and be responsible for making newspaper publications of abandoned children. The expenditure could be incurred under the Integrated Child Protection Units Fund.

Seniority of PAPs would be maintained from the date of registration. PAPs have an option to select an adoption agency for conducting Home Study Report (HSR) and a preferred State.

HSR — conducted to asses the situation and capability of the adoptive family — can be prepared by the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) or a DCPU-empanelled social worker.

A DCPU member will also be part of the Adoption Committee. The maximum combined age for an adoptive married couple has been increased from 105 years to 110 years to encourage adoption of older children. The rules prescribe a minimum 25-year age gap between the child and the adoptive parents.

The revised guidelines have taken care of issues and challenges faced by CARA, adoption agencies and PAPs, said the ministry.

“These guidelines are intended to provide more effective regulation for adoption of orphans, abandoned and surrendered children (those born of unwed couples or couples having similar circumstances),” it said.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 28 July 2015, 20:19 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT